County resource guide
Lauderdale County, Mississippi
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Lauderdale County. Mississippi statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
5 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Meridian · multi-county
Anderson Regional Medical Center — Pediatrics
Anderson Regional Medical Center is the primary hospital serving Lauderdale County and east-central Mississippi. Pediatricians can provide developmental screening and referrals for autism evaluations. For comprehensive evaluations, families typically travel to UMMC in Jackson (~90 miles west).
Regional hospital. Comprehensive autism evaluations typically require travel to UMMC Jackson (~90 miles) or Children's of Alabama in Birmingham (~130 miles).
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Meridian · multi-county
First Steps — East Mississippi Regional Office
Mississippi's First Steps early intervention program serving Lauderdale and surrounding east Mississippi counties. Free services under IDEA Part C for children under 3 with developmental concerns.
FREE. No income requirement. Children in east MS should not delay referral — provider shortages make early coordination critical.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Meridian · multi-county
Ability Tree — Meridian
ABA therapy services in the Meridian area. BCBA-supervised in-home and community-based therapy for children with autism. Accepts Mississippi Medicaid.
Mississippi Medicaid covers ABA. Rural east MS has limited providers — telehealth consultation may supplement in-person services.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Meridian · multi-county
Telehealth Autism Services — East Mississippi
For Lauderdale County families, telehealth is often the most practical way to access autism-experienced therapists and psychiatrists. Mississippi Medicaid covers telehealth mental health services. Providers like Brightline, Elemy, and Mississippi-based university telehealth programs serve the region remotely.
Telehealth is often the only practical option for autism-experienced mental health support in rural east MS. Mississippi Medicaid covers approved telehealth visits.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Jackson · multi-county
MPACT — Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center (East MS)
MPACT (Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center) is the state's federally funded PTI, serving all Mississippi families including those in Lauderdale County. Free IEP navigation, school advocacy, and parent training. In a region with few specialized providers, MPACT is an essential ally.
FREE. Statewide service. Call to request advocacy support or attend a training in your region.
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See all Mississippi resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Mississippi.
Mississippi state guide →